Role Overview

We are looking for a seasoned Automotive OEM professional with deep expertise in Cost Engineering, Commodity Intelligence, Should-Costing, Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE), and Supplier Commercial Management.

The incumbent will act as the central cost governance leader supporting Corporate Sourcing, Manufacturing, R&D;, and Finance teams.

The role will be responsible for driving sustainable cost reduction programs, commodity forecasting, supplier cost transparency, and strategic financial insights that directly impact product profitability and business competitiveness.

The ideal candidate combines strong financial acumen with engineering understanding and possesses the ability to challenge supplier quotations through data-driven cost analysis and zero-based costing methodologies.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Cost Management

- Lead enterprise-wide cost reduction initiatives across mechanical, electrical, electronics, and EV components.
- Develop and maintain should-cost models for purchased parts, assemblies, and systems.
- Establish zero-based costing methodologies for new products and existing portfolios.
- Drive annual productivity and cost optimization targets aligned with business objectives.
- Identify and execute opportunities in VA/VE, design-to-cost, localization, alternate sourcing, and process improvements.
- Benchmark product and component costs against industry standards and best practices.

Commodity Intelligence & Market Analytics
- Monitor and forecast commodity trends across Lithium, Copper, Aluminium, Steel, Rare Earth Materials, Plastics, Polymers, and Electronic Components.
- Analyze commodity market movements and assess their impact on product cost structures.
- Develop commodity intelligence dashboards, cost trackers, and market reports.
- Provide actionable recommendations to sourcing and finance teams on inflation, pricing trends, and procurement strategies.
- Evaluate global supply chain risks and their commercial implications.

EV Component Cost Engineering




- Develop detailed cost models for:
- Lithium-Ion Cells & Battery Packs

- Battery Management Systems (BMS)

- Electric Motors
- Controllers & Power Electronics

- Chargers

- Wiring Harnesses

- Sheet Metal Components
- Castings & Forgings
- Plastic & Injection Molded Components
- Analyze material content, conversion costs, manufacturing processes, and supplier economics.
- Establish benchmark costs and challenge supplier quotations through fact-based analysis.

Annual Operating Plan (AOP) & Financial Planning
- Support Annual Operating Plan (AOP) development through robust cost assumptions and forecasting.
- Assess the impact of commodity inflation, currency fluctuations, and supplier pricing on budgets.
- Develop financial models and scenario analyses to support strategic decision-making.
- Partner with Finance leadership to identify and deliver margin improvement opportunities.

Supplier Costing & Commercial Negotiations
- Evaluate supplier quotations, cost break-ups, and commercial proposals.
- Challenge supplier pricing using should-costing, benchmarking, and market intelligence.
- Support strategic sourcing teams in commercial negotiations and annual cost reduction programs.
- Drive supplier productivity initiatives, localization programs, and cost transparency.
- Ensure commercial competitiveness across the supply base.

Manufacturing Cost Governance
- Partner with manufacturing facilities in Ranipet and Hyderabad to understand and optimize cost structures.
- Conduct periodic plant reviews to assess:

- Material utilization

- Manufacturing efficiency

- Scrap and wastage reduction

- Productivity improvement opportunities




- Track plant-level cost performance and ensure alignment with corporate profitability targets.
- Identify and implement manufacturing cost optimization initiatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Act as the financial and cost-engineering anchor across the organization.

- Collaborate closely with

- Strategic Sourcing
- Product Development & R&D;

- Manufacturing Operations

- Program Management
- Finance & Controlling

- Supplier Quality
- Drive data-driven and fact-based cost decisions throughout the product lifecycle.
- Influence key stakeholders to achieve sustainable cost, margin, and profitability objectives.

Education

- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, Industrial, or Production Engineering.
- MBA (Finance/Operations) preferred.
- CA / CMA qualification will be highly advantageous.

Experience

- 8-12 years of experience in Cost Engineering, Costing, Strategic Sourcing Finance, or Commercial Management.
- Mandatory experience within an Automotive OEM environment.
- Experience in Electric Vehicles, Battery Systems, or E-Mobility products preferred.
- Proven experience in supplier commercial negotiations and cost reduction programs.

Technical Expertise

Solid working knowledge of

- Should Costing
- Zero-Based Costing
- Design-to-Cost Methodologies
- Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE)
- Commodity Cost Tracking
- Cost Modeling
- BOM Cost Analysis
- Manufacturing Economics
- Product Cost Benchmarking
- Financial Modelling & Business Planning

Behavioral Competencies
- Strong business and commercial acumen
- Analytical and data-driven mindset
- High ownership and execution orientation
- Influencing and stakeholder management skills
- Negotiation capability
- Ability to challenge assumptions constructively
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity and high-growth environments

Travel
- Based in Bengaluru.
- Periodic travel to Ranipet and Hyderabad manufacturing facilities.

📌 Senior Manager, Strategic Costing and Commodity Analytics (Bengaluru)
🏢 Greaves Electric Mobility
📍 Bengaluru